Rua Reidh Lighthouse

Rua Reidh Lighthouse
Rubha Reidh
Rubh' Re

Rua Reidh Lighthouse
Scotland
Location	Melvaig Gairloch Wester Ross Scotland United Kingdom
Coordinates	57°51′31.8″N 05°48′42.3″W / 57.858833°N 5.811750°WCoordinates: 57°51′31.8″N 05°48′42.3″W / 57.858833°N 5.811750°W
Year first constructed	1912
Automated	1986
Construction	masonry tower
Tower shape	cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern attached to a 2-storey keeper's house
Markings / pattern	white tower, black lantern, ochre trim
Height	25 metres (82 ft)
Focal height	37 metres (121 ft)
Light source	mains power
Intensity	520,000 candela
Range	24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi)
Characteristic	Fl (4) W 15s.
Fog signal	deactivated in 1980
Admiralty number	A3900
NGA number	3640
ARLHS number	SCO-191
Managing agent	Rua Reidh Lighthouse[1] [2]

Rua Reidh Lighthouse stands close to the entrance to Loch Ewe in Wester Ross, Scotland.

History

A lighthouse on Rubh'Re Point was first proposed by David Stevenson in 1853. Building was started by his son, David Alan Stevenson in 1908 and the light was first lit on 15 January 1912.^[3] The light came from a paraffin lamp, subsequently converted to electricity. The original Fresnel lens is now in the nearby Gairloch Heritage Museum. The fog siren gave 4 blasts every 90 seconds. The fog siren was discontinued in 1980 as well as all the fog sirens in Scotland. The red fog siren trumpet,along with its clockwork timing mechanism were removed and were donated to the Gairloch heritage center and put on display. The siren's tower and engine room were partially demolished. All that is left is the first floor of the siren's tower and the front facade of the engine room. The fog signal equipment was auctioned off and the pressurised air tanks were removed and sold for scrap.

To the north, a quay and ramp provided access from the sea at high tide. This was the only access for supplies until the road from Gairloch was built in 1962^[4] and can still be seen. Paraffin was pumped from the quay and other goods were transported on a small trolley on rails.

The Lighthouse buildings

Since automation of the light in 1986, the adjacent accommodation is no longer required for keepers and was sold into private ownership. It is now a private home and is not open to the public. Since 2004 the lighthouse has been protected as a category B listed building.^[5]

Wildlife

The sea around the point contains basking sharks and Atlantic seals. fulmars, European shags and kittiwakes nest on the steep cliffs.^[6]

See also

• List of lighthouses in Scotland
• List of Northern Lighthouse Board lighthouses

References

1. Rubha Reidh (Rua Reidh, Rubh' Re) The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 12 May 2016
2. Rubh Re Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 12 May 2016
3. "Rubh Re". Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
4. "Rubha Reidh and Camas Mor, Melvaig". Walk Highlands. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
5. "Rubha Reidh Lighthouse". Historic Scotland.
6. "Rua Reidh Lighthouse" (pdf). Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 15 January 2011.

External links

• Northern Lighthouse Board